So, honestly when I heard about data analytics or data science I had no idea because I didn't had computer as a subject in 11th or 12th In the name of computer, I only knew painting. So, that was the only thing that I learnt. In the name of Python, I only knew snake.
Apart from that, I didn't knew anything. When we talk about a data analyst, then what are the required top skills? For a data analyst? In data analytics, the first skill that I found to be very important is... But then, I got confidence when at the end I did projects on SQL. Because I got understood that, this is what project means. Earlier, I imagined projects as the big office projects that are there. But yes, I understood this.
Do you think, companies reject profiles which are non-technical did you face something like this? Honestly, they do. Tell us, even audience wants to know, sometimes there is a confusion data analyst, data engineer, data science Now, you're a data analyst, you talked about skills but I know that data engineer should have the same skills as well. Right!!!! So, tell us about the profiles and clear the confusion.
First thing to view is, you'll crack it, its not that. You need to be headsrong. Because if you're coming from another stream then obviously there are a lot of people, be it anyone's fault..... Welcome, to a new podcast.
So, I have brought a data analyst. How to become a data analyst? What are the required skills? Today, we'll talk about that. The entire session is packed. Today's guest is Nidhi. Her story is very inspiring. It'll motivate you a lot. She was from a non-tech background. She was a bio-graduate. After that, she did a job in sales for 3 years.
After which she became a data analyst. So, its a very inspiring story. She has shared every ups and downs of her life. What all things that are needed to become a data analyst, the skillset that is required we talked about that and there's a confusion that if one should go in data science or be a data engineer or a data analyst Now, skills are different there. We talked about that when can one be a data analyst. When can one become a data engineer? And when can one be a data scientist? So, this entire session has been kept very basic. So that many of them understand and many of you will say Thank you in the comment section.
Alright! Just watch the entire video and don't skip. Do like this video, I have kept the like aim to be 8000. If we accomplish it, then I'll keep on bringing more interesting podcasts. Now, let's understand from Nidhi the roadmap of a data analyst. Everything.
Let's talk with her. So, Welcome Nidhi to our youtube channel. And I had been receiving comments, to make a video on data analyst. So, finally we've brought a data analyst. So, Nidhi is here with us today, who is a data analyst.
We'll understand it from her about the entire process of data analyst, what is the roadmap, everything! So, Nidhi over to you. You can give your introduction first. Your professional background and then we'll get to know your journey. Sure! So! Hi, my name is Nidhi. And yes, I'm a data analyst. And before telling about my academic journey, professional journey I ant to thank you that you gave me an opportunity to come and talk here.
And coming to academic background I'm a completely non-tech or I would say completely I'm not from a CS or engineering background. I am entirely from biology background. So, I did Masters and Graduation both in Nutrition. Right!! After that, actually I had done internship in Nutrition, in a hospital. Then again, sales and then data analytics. So, this was my professional journey as well. First,
internship, then sales for 3 years and then data analytics. So, that was a complete a nut-shell introduction. This was interesting as you were a bio-graduate. Then you went for sales. How many years did you work in sales? I have a 3 years experience in sales. Okay! Yeah, please, please~! I had face-to-face marketing and then in calls. I had in communications.
So, did you think that your journey would be something like this? First, you were in bio then you went into sales, it became totally opposite. After that data analyst. This journey seems interesting, tell us about it a little. Sure! Actually, I didn't had the idea as well that I would be doing so much.
Means, in just like 3-4 years, its like a complete switch into very different backgrounds. So, yeah even I didn't have the idea but then earlier I did Masters in Nutrition. So, I had thought about going in Nutrition because I had huge interest in Biology. The works in biology or the work where biology was related to chemistry Earlier, I had a lot of interest in it. So, when I did an internship for a year in a hospital at that time, I understood that it was not my cup of tea.
Because I was a little, I would not say little but I was very scared to face a patient who is in pain So, I understood that I don't have that much guts to go to a hospital. After my internship, let's see somewhere else in nutrition. Because we cannot switch. I was like, sometimes I just passed out and didn't knew a lot after that, when I came to know that we can go to other fields as well even though you're doing nutrition, still you can go for other fields. Then I thought of doing something in which I know would be used.
So my communications has always been good. I thought of going into sales. So in sales I did face-to-face marketing.
It was good as well but after that I was student counselor in marketing itself. So, I did well there too. But then, I didn't see growth. Means, if I'm in calling then I'll end up in calling only. Even if, I'm going forward.
So, I thought that I want to do something with my communication and with my biology. So, that's why I did data analysis. I mean, data analytics.
Okay! So, were you more happy in sales or now? Honestly, I'm more happy now. Because everyday it is new and its beautiful working with AI working with ML. Of course, I don't work that much because I'm a fresher.
But still, I'm feeling happy as there's a lot to learn. No, no, its interesting. By the way, lot of questions are arising in my mind now that you're from a non-tech background, then what challenges did you face at the time of interview sometiems resume doesn't get short-listed. I have kept the questions. So, we'll talk with her now.
My next question from you is that, let's talk about it as what difficulties did you have to face? Domain transition is not easy. You're working 3 years at a place, suddenly then how did you come from non-CS to data analyst? What were the difficulties? Yeah! Actually, your question is valid because you don't have any knowledge of what we are doing. Sales is compatible as you get 3-4 days of training in it so, you come to know of what you have to do! But, in this you literally have to sit and learn what you have to do.
So, honestly when I heard about data analytics or data science I had no idea because I didn't have Computer in 11th & 12th In the name of computer, I only knew painting. So, that was the only thing that I learnt. I didn't know anything, not even Excel I would say.
So, when I started data analytics, I literally had to start with the word 'Hello'. What is the word 'Hello' and why are we printing it, I didn't even know that as well. In the name of Python, I only knew snake. Apart from that I didn't know anything. So, I used to think why are the names like 'Python', 'Anaconda'.
Then when I started knowing that, they are called programming languages then SQL, so I started with Youtube. I did basics from youtube. Then again I started learning from basics. And I did face difficulty but then I felt good that I'm learning something knew. And I had a hope that I can get into IT.
So that was one thing that gave me good motivation, everyday. Do you know, by talking to you I can feel one thing Its alright, whatever the struggle was, challenges but your mind didn't get distracted, you felt that I should put efforts here So you did that. There's a reason you're here.
And you're doing a good work and are satisfied with your work. Very nice! Now, Tell us Nidhi when we talk about a data analyst, what are the top skills that are required? For a data analyst? I will talk about roadmap as well but when we talk about skills for example, I'm a front-end developer then a front-end developer should know react he should have knowledge about front-end framework. Or he should have knowledge about JavaScript, just like this what should a data analyst know, what skills should he know? Right!! So, in data analytics the first skill that I found to be very important is Python.
You should one of the programming languages. Either R or Python. I would say Better than R, since most of the people ask about Python. Then I would say, Python is something very important. And then you should know Excel.
I would not say, advanced excel but then you should have knowledge that what is there in excel. Atleast one should know - VLOOKUP & HLOOKUP Apart from that, something very important is your visualization tool. Okay! Visualization tools consist of Tableau, Power BI Right!! And a little bit of maths knowledge. I would not say you need like a mathematician but then you should know atleast a little.
And SQL is something that we have to know. But again, all of these would not be in an advanced level, if you're going like a fresher then atleast you should pass the basic level you would be practicing for medium level. It should be in that way. Okay! So, you said either Python or R language Excel, SQL and when we talk about visualization then we've Tableau, Power BI.
So, all of these are 4 main top skills if anyone wants to become a data analyst. Exactly! Okay!! Apart from this, is there anything else that you've learnt or the one you learnt and isn't coming in use. I learnt Machine learning because honestly when we give interviews for data analytics in some companies there you're also asked the questions regarding Machine learning as well.
Right!! If you've written in your resume that I have done the certification of Data science then they'll ask you about machine learning as well. Right!! I'll also ask from you because, for example, I'm a data engineer. I'm a data analyst. I'm in data science.
Sometimes student gets confused with these terms that what does a data scientist do or data analyst does what does a data engineer do? I have kept the questions as I'll ask from you. Yes!! What is your understanding in it? Its alright!! But as far as skills are concerned then she clearly told that if you've 4-5 skills then you can go in that direction. Guys, if you've reached until here and if you haven't liked the video until now then do like it and share it as well.
And do tell us in the comment that what interesting did you find in the podcast? Alright!! Okay! So, Nidhi now tell me the roadmap and resources to become data analyst. Right!! Now, you had non-tech background. You were in Bio as a bio-graduate. Then sales job, after that you came in data analyst This journey that you told although, but we would like to know more about a roadmap with which, if a college student is watching you then he should be able to understand the roadmap, as he understood the skills. What was your roadmap? And planning? So, when it comes to my roadmap, honestly first of all as I said that I started with Youtube. So, first of all I learnt basics from Youtube - Python and SQL, the skills that I told you.
Actually I didn't know about Tableau, Power BI or Excel that I need them I just knew that I would need a little of Python or SQL. I started with Python. Because I had a friend, the name of the school is - Odinschool from where I had done the course so, earlier she used to teach in Odin school. She was a trainer there.
So, she is my very good friend. Her name is Abid. And she told me to join Odinschool. You get good placements here. So, she told me to learn some python before joining. Because then you'll not feel it like Greek and latin You'll understand something or the other. So, that's why I started from Youtube.
Then when I joined, I was taught Python from basics again in Odin school. Basics means literally the scratch. Python They even told what is Python. And then we did basics of Python and then we had assignments so after module, as I told you about 5 skills.
So, among those 5 skills, after every skill they would give us assignment and took a mock interview. So, due to that the things that were missed out or things that we forget that they're important or not. So, we understood that segregation.
It was python. Secondly, it was SQL. Learnt SQL from basics. I would not say advanced level but yes, I learnt until medium level. Again after that there were still assignments. If you don't qualify in the assignment then you can't go forward.
You'll have to sit back again. And then followed by interviews. We were learning Excel side by side. There weren't specific interviews for Excel but yes then we had Tableau and Power BI So, that was the complete roadmap. We also had ML as well at the end. And we also had ML- Caps on. And after that we had an overall interview where as a proper interviewer is taking our interview.
We had an interview in that way. Yes, very important again because we don't know how to start as career counseling sessions are also conducted there Where honestly, there was an interview where I had started without wishing. I was so nervous. So at last they gave me the feedback that Nidhi you did well. But actually we know that we need to introduce ourselves but in hurry we forget or in tension we aren't able to say that.
So, they said that you did well but calm down. Don't rush, decrease your anxiety level and start after introducing. So, I still remember even though quite a time has passed. Yes, they guide in this way. Actually, I got the placements from Odin School itself.
So, this kind of roadmap was very helpful for me because They helped me end-to-end. So yeah! Okay, you developed the skills, learnt things, so you might've done projects as well because without projects you don't get confidence. Yes, You don't get it. So, how important were the projects for you at that time? When you did the projects, how confident were you that - Yes, Now I can do it. Yes! Actually, be it Python or machine learning in our projects, if they're specifically giving you a question then you can get its answer. But then if the questions are on exploratory data analysis then you don't have a specific answer in it.
So, its not that you're giving an apt. answer for it but then if you're doing 80-90%, that means you're doing really well as a starter. So, honestly and initially I was not very good. I did not understand what is exploratory data analysis.
But then, i got the confidence when at the end I did projects on SQL because I understood that this is what project means. So, earlier I thought it was the huge office projects. But, yes I understood this.
And when I started to put it on Github then I came to know that it is very important and it is helpful. Even though smaller ones. So, I got a confidence after SQL, after Tableau projects I gained a lot of confidence, honestly. Fine, we'll put your Linkedln profile and if you want we'll also put your github in the description. People can go and check out. Now, this is a very important question, tell us that you were from a non-tech background so, what was the interview process for a data analyst profile? If you want to share any of your interview experience? What type of questions were asked from you? How difficult was it for you? Its okay, we'll remove the non-tech because you've learnt the skills now and when you learn any skill then, its not the thin that I was from non-tech yes, it is a part of journey but you've learned the skill & done the project so, tell us how your interview process was? Sure! Actually, the Interview process was very different from the interviews I used to give earlier.
So, there are technical rounds in it. The first round is the most simple, where the HR calls you and asks what do you know so it happens through call itself. And they check if you're able to say. So, its very important but not necessary that you have the cleanest English or whatever but you should know basic English. Even if there are mistakes, no problem in it but they should understand that you can communicate. You can make other understand? yes! So, I got to know it in the first interview.
I mean that takes place. And the second round, depends from company to company some companies give data set, either excel or python or SQL you get a data set. And you probably get a day's time in which you need to complete and submit it. But then in my case, it wasn't that. I didn't get data set.
I directly gave the face-to-face technical interview. Right! But it happens in some companies. So, in our company, like I work for Prolifics. Okay! As a software engineer, Prolifics has two technical interview rounds. We've a proper talk with our managers where they literally ask you everything that you've learnt They don't miss anything and they actually drill down things like basics small things like pandas in Python they take it easily but then we need to remember it so, they asked very basic things.
And drilled down as well. They asked about SQL & excel. Again, because I had involved machine learning in my resume they asked basics about machine learning as well.
And in second technical round, it was a little more difficult than this. Where they pinched down in machine learning. So, in that way I gave both of my rounds. Okay! Where did you get this opportunity from? I got this opportunity from Odin School. Okay! Do you think that companies reject profiles that are non-tech did you face anything like this? Honestly, they do.
Because, some companies require engineers. They do because they can't do anything even if you're highly skilled. They can't hire you.
But there are a lot of generous companies who hire everyone and they're very good at that where you're properly hired based on your skills. And yes, I did face that when I gave the resume No! Means first they look at the experience, if you don't have it then they look at the background. I got the opportunity to give interviews in some companies but I was rejected in some companies.
But Odin school has a very good shielding process where they don't tell you that your resume is being rejected because of your background. Its because again, we get disappointed, then even if we give further interviews we give it with confidence. So, that's why the shielding thing is good. And Prolifics didn't mind that, so it was a very good opportunity that I got through Prolifics. Okay! Perfect, Nidhi! You told amazing things.
About yourself, about your journey, then about the profile of data analyst. Now, tell me which even the audience wants to know as well sometimes there's a confusion Data analyst, Data engineer, Data science Now, you're a data a analyst, you talked about skills but I know that, data engineer should have the same skills. Right!! So, tell us about the profiles and clear the confusion, atleast for me as well. Sure! So, actually data science is a package. Under it you've data analytics, as I'm talking about skills Jobs are different.
But data science is a package where data analytics and data engineering can be kept together. Right!! So, the skills that you'll need for data science, all of it are covered in data analytics & data engineering. Right! So, if you want to do data science then you'll need many skills. Data analytics & data engineering both have specific skills So, now let me tell you, which I already told you the 5 skills that were required for data analytics, the basic skills, those are required for data analytics. In Data engineering, Python is compulsory again. You need Python for sure.
Apart from that, ETL means Extract Transform Load you need to learn its tools. Like you also need to learn a cloud, any of the 3 major clouds like Google AWS or azure Any one of the three. Yes! Aprt from that, you need tools responsible for adding like Data Loading as I said in it SQL or non-SQL is compulsory or it might be that both are compulsory. We need one Non-SQL & an SQL as well.
You need Kubernetes where you connect your data with the cloud. Right!! And Hadoop is also very important but then these days There has been a spark in Data-bricks. Then if that is the basics, it'll be okay. But then, you should have the basic knowledge of Hadoop.
That is data engineering. All these skills are required for data science. And apart from this one should learn machine learning, Deep learning, basics of AI But, truly Nidhi! You explained very well. Like, we can see the clarity and guys you would be able to see that as well. Data science contains everything. There are positions like data analyst, Data engineer, now, we're listening all of the skills there.
If you're a data analyst then you can also become a data engineer. By adding on some skills. And if you'll go on adding on more skills then you can even become a data scientist as well. Okay!! Correct! Now, as we go there'll be 2 questions for you. Its life, we're motivated but sometimes demotivated as well.
Right! And its not that if I'm motivated today, I'll surely be de-motivated tomorrow. But, if I'm always motivated then sometimes I think that's an illness problem that as a person cannot always stay motivated. So, what did you learn in your entire experience? How did you face those things which were demotivating you? And tell us about that a little! Sure! Actually, in my journey most importantly I learnt that whatever you're doing and whatever you want to do next You can definitely do it. Its not that if you're going into a thing you've to go towards it.
Its not that. As for me, I came from biology and now I'm doing a job in IT. So, that means if we want something we can do it for sure.
And its not that you need to give blood and sweat for it---no! Even if you do a little with your will, as there are tons of opportunities, tons of good people, tons of good companies. Honestly, the ones that I've got I would say, by god's grace or touchwood, everything is very good. So, yeah! I also won't say that I was fully motivated every single day. Because obviously when we do one thing that we don't understand, like I was doing a code in which, I used to get3-4 bugs in a single code and I wasn't even able to solve them, so at that time I used to feel that seriously, can I do it. I used to feel this.
But, one thing kept me going was that I need to go into IT. I wanted growth. So, I used to watch success stories. I used to watch on a lot of youtube channels.
And by watching it I felt that, No, even I can do it. Why can't I? They are only few skills. We can do it pretty easily. This was one thing. Apart from that I used to think that I need to grow. So, that things motivated me.
Because I was doing a job, so while doing sales, same things again & again then I felt that I want to get out of this, then I need to work hard. So, that was something that kept me motivating & that is one thing I learnt that I told you, you know we can do anything. Anything in the sense, I would not go to 3 idiots again that.......
The thing about paste......not that then apart from that, I think patience is something that I learnt because in the first interview, its not that you'll crack it. You need to be headstrong. Because if you're coming from other stream, obviously there are a lot of people it isn't anyone's fault, they'll look for something else but you're something else, so they'll reject you and it is completely fine because we've a lot of opportunities so don't be disappointed. And be patient that if you couldn't do it once, then no worries, we'll do it ten times.
No problem with it, we've time. Life is huge and we'll get the opportunity. These are the 2 major things that I learnt.
Thank you so much as you shared such good insights of your life professionally and I believe, many people will be motivated from this session. And they'll get a direction for the profile of data analyst, if you want to become then. Rest I've given the useful links in the description. As we go, Nidhi, What will be the Final advice, to the upcoming data analysts in future? What will be your advice for them? Sure So, first thing that I would say is that, if you're going in any of Data analytics, data science, data engineering so, if you're from non-tech or even from Tech which background you belong to If you want to do a job, then atleast 15-20 mins in a day, everyday Do python without missing, even if you're working atleast solve one problem or a code that is very important. And secondly, as I learnt, be patient. You'll face rejections but then it is still okay. There are a lot of opportunities.
Someone would be there that I have to give him a job. So, it is okay even if you get rejected. Don't get disappointed, there are tons of opportunities. And thirdly, when you're learning something, don't think of it as difficult. Do it with your will, its because again...... why do we join? So that we do a job at a good environment.
So, visualize it that I'm doing a job there. So, you'll obviously have fun at the job you're doing. So, these are the 3 things I would say to all people who want to get into IT or data analytics. Perfect, Nidhi! I felt great talking to you.
And you're a very good personality, all of the things that you told about yourself, your experience, I have been very motivated and inspired from you. I believe audience would have been as well. So, guys like this video, share as much as possible. Comment down the interesting part of the podcast.
And I've kept the like aim of this video to be 8000, if we accomplish it then I'll keep on bringing such interesting podcasts. Okay then, we'll meet in the next podcast. Till then take care!
2022-12-20